To overcome this loss, manufacturers add an excess of the active ingredient in * calculated amount * to compensate this loss over the time. This is highly relevant in preparations that are sensitive to faster degradation like vitamins and biologicals.

Coming back to our vaccine issue, most of the companiesadd a few 'International Units' extra to cover up the loss during storage. This fact need not be written on the label only because end users may sometime divide the dose before vaccination !

However, this technical knowledge is cleverly taken up by the marketing people to claim added benefits to their product.

It is also equally important to note that vets do not make dose differences between a smaller or a larger breed either.

The overages compensate the loss of biological activityduring non maintenance of cold chain during shipment,storage and other exposures. By this we mean that, thereis still certain room for safety even if a cold chain is broken* without intention * during transit.

Also keep in mind that you should neither give thermalshocks by intermittent cooling.

Again, some companies are (over)smart in claiming that their vaccines can be stored in ordinary room conditions. If these products are manufactured in cold countries, this may be true to a little extend on a regional basis.

Unfortunately, this argument may prove wrong in the tropical countries where the deterioration level is rapid due to higher temperatures. We believe that these claims are only part of their marketing campaigns to cheer up the trade and other intermediaries.

Also note that, above discussion may not be applicableto newer delivery systems including oral rabies vaccineswhich may be even as chocolate treats or that are aeriallydistributed in wildlife sanctuaries in certain countries.November 2006